Analysing Barriers to Achieving SDG 7. Managing Green Product Development in the Wind Energy Sector

Wind energy is seen as a promising option for sustainable energy, but its implementation also has environmental impacts. The environmental impact of wind energy systems, particularly on-shore and off-shore wind turbines, has been extensively researched using methodologies such as Life Cycle Assessment. However, creating more sustainable wind turbines involves rethinking their creation, production, and consumption. To reduce environmental impact, companies must overcome barriers to implementing eco-design and develop innovative solutions. Understanding these barriers is crucial for designing effective solution strategies in the wind energy sector. A case study was carried out on one of the top five original equipment manufacturers in the wind energy sector. Eco-design has become one of the most effective ways of incorporating environmental considerations into design activities, but also has led to increased innovation in wind turbine design and development, as well as in associated processes such as manufacturing, transportation, installation, operation, and maintenance. However, despite experience in environmental management systems and eco-design in particular, obstacles, both external and internal to the company, still need to be overcome to succeed in product eco-design. Among other barriers, technicians and managers often lack specialised ecodesign skills, which can hinder the process, and the labour market does not adequately respond to the demand for professionals with specific knowledge in this field. Top management should also develop more effective methods or improve existing ones to meet the expectations of product design and development technicians.